Word for the World - October 10

““I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel, And shall crush through the forehead of Moab, And tear down all the sons of Sheth.” (Numbers 24:17, NASB95)

A Star from Jacob

““I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near; A star shall come forth from Jacob, A scepter shall rise from Israel….” (Numbers 24:17, NASB95)

Balaam was never a man of God, but God used this prophet-for-hire to pronounce a curse on Balaak, King of Moab, and a blessing on Israel. The most astonishing word that came from this evil man’s mouth had to do with the coming Messiah. Balaam saw “him” as a star and a scepter, two images of the Messiah that had been used from the days of the Patriarchs. He saw him, “but not now…not near.” In fact, Numbers 24:14 introduces this prophecy as one that will take place “in the days to come.” This phrase is better translated “in the end of days.”

This is obviously a reference to the establishment of the Messianic age. For modern believers who live after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we can see that Balaam was clearly speaking of the Second Coming of the Messiah, since the first coming was not “in the end of days.” When the end comes, “out of Zion’s hill” salvation will come. That salvation will be the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, whom we know as Jesus Christ!